Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Wheat.

Wednesday, 30 October 1957

Dáil Éireann Debate
Vol. 164 No. 2

Page of 147

Mr. T.F. O'Higgins:asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in accordance with the undertakings given to increase the price of wheat, he will now state what steps he proposes to take to implement these undertakings.

Mr. Aiken:No undertakings were given by me to increase the price of wheat.

Mr. Jones:Would the Minister mind repeating that answer?

Mr. Aiken:It is quite clear.

Mr. Dillon:Does the Minister seriously say that he and his colleagues have not given repeated undertakings in public to increase the price payable for wheat over and above that payable in respect of this cereal year?

[205]Mr. Aiken:No.

Mr. Dillon:You never did?

Mr. Aiken:No.

Mr. Dillon:I was listening to Deputy Corry on that point at a by-election and the roars of him could be heard over a radius of 15 miles and you are his colleague.

Mr. Sweetman:Is the Minister not aware that the presence of Deputies Gibbons and Medlar in this House is solely due to promises made about the price of wheat?

Mr. Aiken:That is not so.

Mr. Dillon:Look at Deputy Ó Briain there.

Donnchadh Ó Briain:You tried to kill it and you did your damnedest.

Mr. Crotty:Is the Minister not aware that promises were given in the Carlow-Kilkenny by-election that the Government would go back to the late Deputy Tom Walsh's prices for wheat?

Mr. Aiken:I am not so aware.

An Ceann Comhairle:Order! Question No. 59.

Mr. O'Sullivan:The cat is out of the bag.

Mr. Sweetman:Did the Minister for External Affairs not make such a promise in the town of Callan in Kilkenny?